Power
1-What we started with
As far as power goes we started with nothing and about a kilometre away from any power lines
very expensive to tap into local power
length of line
because of trees, underground would be preferable
local power not 100% guaranteed
monthly bill
2-What we wanted
AC power the same type as what city slickers have
clean 110v 220v 60 hertz
a circuit breaker box, just like in town
AC sockets that you could plug in normal lamps, appliances, radios etc.
Low maintenance
3-What we didn’t want
Any sort of low voltage DC power requiring specialized non standard electrical units.
high maintenance
4-What we were willing to concede
Living off grid, something has to give and that something was quantity.
The best way to reduce cost was, and still is, reduce consumption.
All lights are LEDs
All appliances were chosen because of their low energy requirements
-induction cook top I believe is the most efficient way to cook
-no electric oven (propane BBQ and oven built into masonry wood fired heater)
-low energy fridge
-high efficient dishwasher (used occasionally)
-high efficient washer dryer combo unit (does not require vent)
5-What we went with
First let me explain that I have been looking into solar for many years and was fairly on top of the technology, plus electronics is/was my chosen field of study.
During the design stage I stressed this was an experimental project that if worst comes to worst we could just go back to the city as required.
Our solar supplier/contractor was very easy to work with and considered concepts and ideas willingly while filling in the gaps I had in my plan.
photo voltaic solar panels
-no moving parts unlike windmills
-30 panels mounted on 2 poles (15 panels each)
If one “pole” goes “down” it is wired so the other can carry on.
lead acid battery bank (12-320lb plus batteries in their own room)
They last twice as long, if not more, than sealed units
**to clarify “last as long” refers to the lifetime of the battery, not how many days it will keep the cottage running.
In this case the sealed batteries will last 5 to 7 years while, the ones we have, will last up to 15 years if taken care of.*******
Cost less
Down side
-they have to be topped up every 45 days or so.
-need a separate vented area
-you get to deal with acid and dangerous gases
Propane back up generator
Automatically charges batteries when there is not enough sun
-successive cloudy days
-winter, the days get really short
1000 gallon propane tank
-also feeds BBQ
Various electronic stuff
Charge controllers
Inverter
-true sine wave output
The brains that keeps everything working together
Electric boiler
-chosen so that no propane had to be piped into the cottage requiring a chimney or vent.
– used to heat the fluid in the radiant floor heating while we are not there (prevent freeze ups)
-also used for heating the domestic hot water via an indirect circulation tank.
6-How well does it work
Note When we are not there the well pump and the domestic hot water are turned off. This will minimize water damage if a pipe breaks and minimize power use as hot water is not needed if no one is there.
After a couple of years, for the most part very well.
In the long dark days of winter the generator fills in where the sun leaves off.
Generator usage is higher than I hoped with Dec and Jan going well over 100 hours each. So far we are seeing generator run times of between 400 and 500 hours a year.
In the winter showers, dish washing, and laundry have to be carefully timed and, for the most part, limited to sunny days.
Several components have failed along with a couple of batteries not performing. All has been replaced or fixed under warranty with little or no problem.
The upstairs bathroom is isolated getting heat only from the in-floor radiant heater. Read electric boiler. I think this is one of the main reasons the generator runs so much in winter. The rest of the cottage is heated by passive solar when we are not there. I am looking into different options.
The goal is for the generator not to have to run at all. We shall see…
*******Unexpected problem at OCC (Our Country Cottage) *******
A Cautionary Tale
Or
The Masonry Heater, Oh That’s Just Grate!
1:30 am alarm -alarm battery low?
The search for burning material
Glowing embers in ash pit under fireplace.
-2C to -4C or -28F to -25F degrees outside
Continual carbon monoxide alarms till 7:00am
Deformed grate letting larger coals into ash pit
New grates (getting a spare too) on the way and, a fix concept in the works.
Make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in place and working.
Also keep an eye on the details. My grate is only 6” by 12” and less than a half an inch thick.